Council of Europe Delegation To Visit Chechnya

24 August 2004 -- The Council of Europe says it is sending a delegation to Chechnya ahead of presidential elections in the breakaway republic.

The group -- Europe's leading human rights body -- released a statement saying a team will visit Chechnya for four days starting on 27 August. Delegation members are due to meet with Chechnya's interim President Sergei Abramov and candidates running in Chechnya's presidential elections, which are scheduled for 29 August.

The Council of Europe team is also scheduled to meet with officials responsible for refugees and displaced people in Chechnya and in neighboring Ingushetia.